07172007 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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increase in Hotel /Motel Tax, which is paid by hotel guest. He stated during the Hotel /Motel Occupancy Tax Workshop participates expressed an interest in a venue tax. He also stated this can be a method to assist in the financing of the Conference Center. Mr. Jones stated he feels the venue tax should be 20. Ms. Robertson inquired to whether the hoteliers feel this would hurt their business. Mr. O'Leary stated there are some hoteliers who feel an increase would hurt their business. Mr. Jones stated conferences usually block a number of rooms and the taxes are not negotiated in the conference packages. Mr. Thomaides inquired to whether the City could do without the venue tax. Mr. O'Leary stated the City could do without the venue tax, but the City would have to continue using funds from the Hotel /Motel Tax. He stated the Council added a line item a couple of years ago to the Hotel /Motel Taxes Funding for the Conference Center and was based on a percentage, which changed the funding amounts. Mr. Thomaides stated he supports using a venue tax to pay for the conference center, but does not support using property taxes. Mayor Narvaiz stated the Council has put away funds for the Conference Center, but with raising cost of materials the City might need more funding and this would help. Mr. Thomaides stated if the venue tax fails, he does not want the citizens to think the Conference Center will not be funded. Mr. Jones stated he supports a 20 venue tax. He stated the users of the Hotels will be paying for the Conference Center, not the citizens. He stated if the Council and the voters approved to and it was not enough then the Council would have to go back to the voters for the additional lo. The Council agreed by consensus to place a 20 venue tax on the City Ballot for the November 6, 2007. Mayor Narvaiz introduced a discussion and receive a presentation regarding the City of San Marcos potentially becoming a Sister City with Japan and direction to Staff. Mayor Narvaiz stated Texas State University delegates from Japan presented her with a proposal for a Sister City. She asked the Students to present the same proposal to the City Council. The International Student from Japan at Texas State University provided the Council with a powerpoint presentation (printed copy attached). Mr. Bose stated he feels having a Sister City in Japan would be a great economic development opportunity for San Marcos. Mr. Thomaides agreed with Mr. Bose and requested the Texas State University delegates provide updates to the Council. Mayor Narvaiz thanked the students for their presentation. The Council agreed to review this proposal during the budget process. Mayor Narvaiz introduced a discussion regarding Craddock Park and direction to Staff. Mr. Bose stated the Craddock Park Committee met in November to look at purchasing the Weatherford property. He stated the committee has met with the Parks and Recreation Department, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Planning and Zoning Commission and the neighborhood. He stated by purchasing the property and developing it as a park, will provide fitness opportunities. He asked the Council to support the committee in the grant process. Mr. Guerrero stated this proposed park is not part of the Park Master Plan. He stated he met with Rodney Cobb, Director of Parks and Recreation, regarding this park. He stated he feels the City needs to